By Sara Swenson
Staff Writer
Two high school seniors in separate cities, both thinking about college, both considering Corban, and both having Courtney Dodds as an admissions counselor. Who would have thought that four years later both these students – now brand-new graduates – would be hired as admissions counselors?
It’s really exciting to be back on campus and see familiar faces,” said O’Halloran. “Corban has always been an environment that I love to be in.”
Not that O’Halloran and Lindsey spend an abundance of time at Corban. Both are in the middle of traveling season right now. In an effort to recruit high school students, they are traveling to different high schools and churches throughout Oregon, Washington, California and Nevada.
Both share a joy and excitement for meeting new people and getting students excited about Corban.
“The most exciting thing about my job is sharing with students about Corban,” said Lindsey. “My experience at Corban could not have been better, so it’s such a privilege to talk with students about a university which cares and wants the best for each student,” he said.
O’Halloran said she is amazed at how many people get excited when they hear she works at Corban. She has met quite a few people who either know someone who attends Corban or have attended themselves.
“One day as I was driving the Corban car through a parking lot, I had this older man knock on my window and shout that his granddaughter goes to Corban,” O’Halloran said. “He gave me thumbs up, smiled and walked away.”
It’s that kind of thing that keeps new employees excited about their job.
But along with the excitement of working at a familiar place and meeting new people, come the difficult parts of the job. Lindsey said that the uncertainty of the job is what is most difficult for him.
“We are, at our core, salesmen,” he said. “It can be tough talking with students when you have no idea what they might be thinking. So much depends on how they perceive you as the counselor. I like the challenge, but it’s exhausting sometimes.”
As demanding as the new job is, it’s a challenge both new admissions counselors are happy to take.
“I thought it would be weird to be back on campus, but it’s not at all,” O’Halloran said. “It’s definitely a different role, but the environment here at Corban is one that I will always love.”